Behind the Chair Meets Behind the Scenes: How a Salon Sales Rep Builds Loyalty & Profit

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Josie and Quinn sit down with Kimber Bootay, a distributor salon consultant with 28 years of experience serving stylists across Northern California. Recently awarded Sales Consultant of the Year for a major manufacturer, Kimber shares the secrets behind her success—including the power of consistency, relationship building, and truly caring for the stylists she serves.

They dive into what makes a standout DSC, the realities of salon distribution, and how stylists and sales reps can build partnerships rooted in mutual respect. Kimber's blend of blunt honesty and deep-hearted support offers a rare glimpse into the sales side of the beauty industry—and reminds us all that we're stronger when we work as a team.

Key Topics:

• The power of consistency in building trust as a sales consultant
• Why great DSCs prioritize being a resource over pushing product
• The emotional labor and logistical complexity of serving salon clients
• Kimber’s take on salon culture, education, and team alignment
• Advice for new sales consultants and salon owners alike
• How empathy between stylists and DSCs can transform industry relationships

Takeaways for Stylists & Salon Owners:

• Your DSC isn’t just a rep—they’re a partner, and the good ones will move mountains for you.
• Salon culture and team buy-in are non-negotiables for long-term success.
• Retail and education should be seen as tools for growth, not burdens.
• The best partnerships are built on clear communication, mutual understanding, and (yes again) consistency.

People and brands mentioned in this episode:

Bassett Salon Solutions – A professional beauty distributor serving salons across the Western U.S., known for offering top-tier brands, sales support, and education to help stylists and salon owners grow their businesses.

Davines – A sustainable, Italian-born haircare brand trusted by professionals worldwide for its high-performance color, care, and styling products.

Bright Eyes Marketing – A creative studio and marketing space in Sacramento, CA, used as the official recording location for this episode of Rooted + Rising.

International Color Genius Program – An advanced Davines education certification for professional hairstylists, designed to elevate technical expertise in color theory, formulation, and application through immersive global training and mentorship.

Can't get enough of Rooted + Rising?

Follow us on Instagram:

The Pod: @rootedandrisingbeauty

Quinn: @quinn_does_hair

Josie: @lighten.with.josie

Do you have something you think is important to share with the beauty industry?

Send in your request to be on the show so we can start to brainstorm together!